Ashland Oregon

In a gray considerably blue day of Portland , I decided to go to see Ashland . It is only 290 miles south of Portland ; all I had King Lear ticket and my camera. In July Ashland is hot, dress light. When you are walking in downtown, carry a water bottle around, you will be pleased with your decision. At first glance, I can say about this town is, clean, well organized, cultured and peaceful. I loved the bike roads which carry you the downtown among with small, cute parks. Ashland is very photographic place, green trees, beautiful flowers and nice buildings with a lot of statues. I went to walk downtown. The streets are full of small shops and restaurants. Walking under hot sun, I could not stop myself to enter Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory; their chocolate ice cream was delicious.

Lithia Park is a 93-acre vista of emerald lawns, tennis courts, a sand-pit volleyball court, picnic area, colorful landscaping. It was excellent for taking photos all day. I got my backpack and my camera, walked all over the park, I had great picnic at well design picnic tables under tree shadows. I got my food from t he Co-op, as locals say. I wanted to taste something local and end up at Ashland Food Co-op. It has plenty to offer. I went back there twice. It was more than the food. It is almost local people meeting area. They leave messages on the huge board outside, offer cooking classes, fresh foods and very friendly atmosphere. You will feel like you are not in tourist zone anymore there.

I was keen on to see the famous theatre. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has grown into a nine month series encompassing over 700 performances and 11 plays in repertory. Well, I think they deserve this fame. The theater is a magnificent building, has such strong character. King Lear was excellent play, I enjoyed very much, but I am so glad I read the book before, because language was little heavy for me. Shakespeare's Elizabethan language can be difficult to understand at first. Use of a Shakespearean glossary and the Oxford English Dictionary are two sources that can help in understanding the language. My native language is Turkish, so I had to look up some words before I went to play. I still did enjoy the play anyway. I would suggest get a blanket with you, summer night can get chilly. Theater's gift shop has a lot of items comes from England , including teas and some cookies. I was happy to find a bronze letter opener for my collection. Gift shop has also really nice masks. Unfortunately it was little bit pricey for me. People who work at gift shop were extremely friendly, I talked about the town, where to get best photos and where the locals go enjoy the day. They are the one gave me information about Co-op.

In downtown students are everywhere. Many of young people dressed themselves like beggar. I still do not quite understand why "grunch" is so cool. How can be dirtiness can be cool for anything? In my opinion not washing and cleaning up under any circumstances can not be cool. If you ignore youth in dark clothes, smelly appearances in the streets, still great place to visit this lovely town.

Ashland is a middle class holiday paradise. If you are tired getting up everyday 7 am going to job, deal with traffic jam in the city, shopping in big malls, then come home fall into sleep in front of TV... Definitely you like to break your routine life at least couple days.
Ashland offers you silent town with beautiful hotels, classy bed and breakfasts, small elegant boutiques, peacefully green golf courses, well organize festival with full of good plays.

I recommended spending sometime at the library. Around downtown some galleries has very unique art exhibition of local artist. If you are interested in collection of artful clothing, jewelry, hats, scarves, knitting yarn, spinning & weaving supplies, you should visit " the web sters" at main street. I would like to visit Ashland again for spring time, I am sure all those great looking trees and parks would be turning to great photos.

NUR July 2004